Device for irradiating fluids

ABSTRACT

A housing surrounds an elongated ultraviolet lamp and forms therewith a closed annular space to confine fluid passage means for fluids to be irradiated. The passage means surrounds the ultraviolet lamp and has relatively thin flattened passage runs that either encircle the lamp or extend longitudinally of the lamp. The passage means may provide a plurality of separate paths for sterilization of a plurality of fluid streams to be treated simultaneously and different fluid streams may be treated primarily by different wave lengths. The passage runs may be formed by thin walled resilient plastic tubing which may expand under internal fluid pressure into intimate contact with the lamp. The rays directed outwardly through the thin fluid streams may be reflected back through the thin fluid streams for greater irradiation efficiency.

[451 July 8,1975

United States Patent [1 1 Hazelrigg [57] ABSTRACT A housing surrounds anelongated ultraviolet lamp and forms therewith a closed annular space toconfine DEVICE FOR [RRADIATING FLUIDS [76] Inventor: Wayne K. Hazelrigg,3624 S.

Carolina St., San Pedro, Calif. 90731 fluid passage means for fluids tobe irradiated. The assage means surrounds the ultraviolet lamp and has[22] Filed 1973 relatively thin flattened passage runs that eitherencir- [21] Appl. No.: 423,136 cle the lamp or extend longitudinally ofthe lamp. The passage means may provide a plurality of separate pathsfor sterilization of a plurality of fluid streams to be treatedsimultaneously and different fluid streams [52] U.S. 250/435; 250/437[51] Int. H0lj 37/00 250/432, 435, 436, 437;

may be treated primarily by different wave lengths. The passage runs maybe formed by thin walled resilient plastic tubing which may expand underinternal [58] Field of Search R f es Cit d fluid pressure into intimatecontact with the lamp. The e erenc e rays directed outwardly through thethin fluid streams UNITED STATES PATENTS may be reflected back throughthe thin fluid streams 8/ I934 for greater irradiation efficiency.

l,969,655 Mailey 250/436 2,501,290 3/l950 Pe ui 250/436 q E 22 Claims,11 Drawing Figures Primary Examiner-James W. Lawrence AssistantExaminer-C. E. Church Attorney/Agent, 0r Firm-Paul A. Weilein i IllIIIIII .i

1 DEVICE FOR IRRADIATING FLUIDS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Ultravioletray generators such as conventional ultraviolet lamps are commonlyemployed to irradiate various fluids including natural source waters,conditioned waters, waste waters, sugar solutions, blood plasma, foodsubstances, and various gaseous fluids.

Although many different wave lengths of radiant energy may be employedfor various desired effects, the most common applications utilizepredominantly 2537 Angstrom wave lengths and H349 Angstrom wave lengths.The 2537 Angstrom radiation known as the germicidal wave lengtheffectively destroys organisms contained a fluid and the 1849 Angstromradiation which is generated simultaneously by the same source may beutilized to produce oxidizing effects including the formation of ozonein oxygen gas mixtures and the formation of hydrogen peroxide in wateror water mixtures. The ozone and hydrogen peroxide destroy organisms,bad tastes and odors by oxidation.

The present invention relates to a particular type of such an apparatusin which the wall of an elongated casing or housing surrounds anelongated radiant source and forms therewith an elongated annular spacethrough which fluid flows that is to be irradiated. Prior artdisclosures of this general type are exemplified by the Linker U.S. Pat.No. 1,079,503 and the Ultradynamics Corporation US. Pat. No. 3,l82,193.

In the Linker disclosure the fluid to be treated first passes through atube inside the ultraviolet lamp and then passes through an annularspace or chamber that is formed by a casing wall that surrounds theultraviolet lamp. The annular space around the ultraviolet lamp servesas a single passageway extending longitudinally of the lamp.

In the Ultradynamics Corporation disclosure a single stream of the fluidthat is to be irradiated flows through an elongated annular space thatis formed by an outer casing wall and an inner quartz tube thatsurrounds the ultraviolet lamp. Ring-shaped baffles in the annular spaceencourage turbulence in the relatively thick annular fluid stream toencourage contact between the flowing fluid and the inner quartz tubethat surrounds the ultraviolet lamp.

The present invention is directed to a number of featuers andimprovements for more effective utilization of the annular space orchamber that surrounds the ultraviolet lamp in an irradiating device ofthis general type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Various objects of various embodiments of theinvention include: to provide an effective safeguard againstcontamination of irradiated fluid caused by structural failure of thetransparent envelope of an ultraviolet lamp; to provide flattened fluidstreams for reduced thickness in the direction of radiation; to drivethe fluid in the flattened streams at high velocity to create turbulencefor increased irradiation efficiency, to provide an arrangement wherebya single ultraviolet source may irradiate a plurality of different fluidstreams simultaneously; to provide fluid passages that have relativelythin radiation-transmitting walls and yet are capable of confining fluidstreams under relatively high pressure; to provide a construction inwhich tubular passages with relatively thin plasticradiation-transmitting walls are effectively confined to support thetube walls and thus permit the use of relatively thin plastic passagewalls with consequent reduction of the radiant energy that is absorbedby the passage walls; to provide such an arrangement in which the fluidpassages with thin flexible plastic walls are confined in mutual contactfor mutual reinforcement; to provide such an arrangement in whichflattened fluid passages with thin flexible plastic walls may bear underinternal fluid pressure against the enclosed ultraviolet lamp for mutualsupport; to provide such an arrangement in which relatively flattenedstreams of fluid are confined by relatively thin walls for maximumirradiation efficiency; to provide such an arrangement in which theflexible fluid passages make pressure contact with the envelope of theultraviolet lamp for mutual support with the flexible passages capableof relaxing under temporarily reduced pressure to permit one ultravioletlamp to be substituted for another; to provide maximum utilization ofthe radiation capability of a radiant source by completely surroundingthe source with flattened streams of fluid that is to be irradiated; toprovide reflector means to cause radiation that passes through a streamof fluid to be reflected back through the stream of fluid for greaterefflciency; and to provide an exceptionally compact device of thisgeneral character that operates at high efficiency for processing arelatively large volume of fluid in a relativey brief period of exposureof the fluid to irradiation.

In one embodiment of the invention the passage means for the fluid to beirradiated is confined in an annular space of relatively small radialdimension and the fluid flows through runs or convolutions of thepassage means which helically encircle the ultraviolet lamp for maximimutilization of the irradiative surface of the lamp. The helical passagesmay form a plurality of different flow paths for irradiation ofdifferent fluid with the different fluids effectively isolated from eachother. A feature of the invention is that the helical passages areflattened for relatively thin dimension as measured radially of theultraviolet lamp. With the runs or come lutions of the fluid passagemeans having plastic walls, the fluid passage means may be normallyunder relatively low internal fluid pressure and spaced radiallyoutwardly from the encompassed ultraviolet lamp to provide a thinannular space intimately enclosing the lamp for circulation through theannular space of a fluid that is different from the fluid in the plastictubing. On the other hand, with the fluid passage means under relativelyhigh pressure, the plastic walls are in pressure contact directly withthe ultraviolet lamp with no intervening annular space.

Suitable reflecting surfaces may be provided to intercept the radiationafter it passes through the thin streams of fluid to reflect theradiation back through the same streams. The reflecting surface may bethe inner circumferential surface of a cylindrical housing wall thatforms the outer boundary of the annular space that confines the fluidpassages. Or instead, radially inward reflection of the radiation may beprovided by reflecting surfaces on the thin walls of the fluid passages.Thus, reflective coatings may be deposited on the outer surfaces of theouter walls of the fluid passages, or may be deposited on the innersurfaces of the outer walls of the fluid passages, or may beincorporated into the outer walls of the fluid passages between theouter and inner surfaces of the outer walls.

In some embodiments of the invention wherein helical runs of one or morepassages encompass an elongated ultraviolet lamp, helical ribs extendingradially inwardly from the outer housing wall serve as spacers betweenthe helical runs of the flexible fluid passages to resist surgingpressures and forces that are created in the operation of the device. Inone embodiment of the invention the outer cylindrical wall of the deviceis provided with cooling fins.

In one embodiment of the invention the fluid passage means thatencompasses the elongated ultraviolet lamp is formed with convolutionsor runs that extend longitudinally of the lamp in side-by-siderelationship.

A feature of one embodiment of the invention is that the runs orconvolutions of the passage means that encompasses the ultraviolet lampare not formed by tubes but are formed by ribs that extend radiallyinwardly from the outer housing to the peripheral surface of theultraviolet lamp. The advantage of this arrangement is that radiationfrom the ultraviolet lamp enters directly into the flowing fluid insteadof entering the flowing fluid through a passage wall that absorbs acertain amount of the radiant energy.

One feature of the preferred practice of the invention is the concept ofproviding a housing structure that completely encloses an elongatedultraviolet lamp as well as fluid passages that surround the lamp, whichhousing structure comprises a previously mentioned cylindrical housingwall and housing blocks at the two opposite ends of the cylindricalwall. inlets and outlets for fluid to be irradiated are incorporated inthe two housing blocks and terminals for connecting the ultraviolet lampto an external EMF source are also provided by the housing blocks.Suitable elastic sealing rings embrace the opposite ends of theelongated ultraviolet lamp to seal off the two ends of the annular spacethat confines the fluid passages. The various features and advantages ofthe invention may be understood from the following detailed descriptiontogether with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, which are to beregarded as merely illustrative:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a selected embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a broken longitudinal view of the same embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the staggered line3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a similar view of a third embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a fourthembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view of a fifth embodiment of theinvention wherein the runs or convolutions of the passage means extendlongitudinally of the ultraviolet lamp that they enclose;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section taken as indicated by the line 8-8 ofFIG. 7 showing the longitudinal configuration of the passageconvolutions;

FIG. 9 is a radial sectional view showing how the inner surfaces of theouter walls of flexible passages for the fluids to be irradiated may beprovided with reflective coatings whereby radiation passing through athin fluid stream may be reflected back through the stream;

FIG. 10 is a similar sectional view showing how such a reflectingsurface for the same purpose may be provided by a coating that isdeposited on the outer surface of the outer wall of the flexiblepassage; and

FIG. 11 is a further similar sectional view showing how a reflectivesurface for the same purpose may be encapsulated in the outer walls ofthe flexible fluid conducting passages.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION In the firstembodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3, an ultraviolet lamp 10is enclosed by a housing that comprises an aluminum housing cylinder 12,a pair of end blocks 14 and 15 of suitable plastic material in which theends of the housing cylinder are embedded, and a pair of opposite sheetmetal end caps 16 and 17 which are mounted on the corresponding endblocks by suitable screws 18. Electric wires 20 from an emf source areconnected to sockets 22 at each end of the housing, which socketsreceive terminal prongs 24 at the opposite ends of the lamp 10.

The inside diameter of the housing cylinder 12 is greater than theoutside diameter of the lamp 10 so that the housing cylinder cooperateswith the lamp to form a longitudinal annular space around the lampthrough which liquid may flow for irradiation by the lamp. The oppositeends of this longitudinal annular space are preferably sealed off bycorresponding O-rings 26 which embrace the ends of the lamp and areconfined under pressure by inner transverse walls 28 of the two end caps16 and I7. It is apparent that the two end caps 16 and 17 may be removedby loosening of the screws I8 to permit the lamp 10 to be withdrawn fromthe housing for replacement.

In this first embodiment of the invention, passage means for fluid flowthrough the longitudinal annular space comprises two tubes 30 and 32made of a suitable flexible or resilient material that is transparent tothe radiation from the lamp 10. A suitable material for the tubes 30 and32 is sold under the trademark TEFLON which is known technically as FEP(fluorinated ethylene propylene). An important advantage of this plasticis that it is inert and has non-stick properties such that no filmbuilds up on the tubes 30 and 32 during use. It is to be noted that thetubes 30 and 32 are of flattened cross sectional configuration to occupythe longitudinal annular space, the minimum cross sectional dimension ofthe tubes being radially of the lamp 10 to minimize the distance throughthe flowing fluid that the radiation must travel and thus minimize lossof the radiant energy by absorption in the fluid.

The tube 30 is wound helically in the longitudinal annular space withone end 34 of the tube embedded in end block 14 in communication with aninlet passsage 35 which is connected by a suitable fitting 36 to anexterior conduit system (not shown). In like manner the second end 38 ofthe tube 30 is connected to an outlet passage 40 in the end block 15 foroutflow through a conduit fitting 42.

In the same manner as the first tube 30, the second tube 32 is woundhelically in the longitudinal annular space with one end of the tube incommunication with a conduit fitting 36a through an inlet passage 35a inthe end block 14, and with the second end of the tube communicating witha conduit fitting 42a through an outlet passage 40a in the end block 15.Thus, the passage means for fluid flow through the longitudinal annularspace comprises two passages each of which has helical runs orconvolutions in the longitudinal annular space. the helical runs beingin side-by-side contact with the helical runs of one passage lyingbetween helical runs of the other passage.

In FIG. 2 the fluid that flows through the two tubes 30 and 32 is atrelatively low pressure and the inner circumferential surfaces of thetubes are spaced appreciably radially outwardly from the peripheralsurface of the lamp to form in the annular space between the lamp andthe housing cylinder a thin inner annular space 44. Means to cause athird fluid to flow through this thin inner annular space 44 includes aninlet bore 45 in the end block 14 connected by a fitting 46 to anexterior conduit 48 and a similar outlet bore 50 in the end blockconnected by a fitting 52 to an outflow conduit 54.

By virtue of the described arrangement three different fluids may becirculated simultaneously through the longitudinal annular space forsimultaneous irradiation by the lamp 10. For example, the plastic tubes30 and 32 may carry two different liquids for irradiation primarily bythe 2537 Angstrom wave length of the radiant energy and an oxygenmixture such as air may flow through the inner annular space 44 for theformation of ozone therein by the 1849 Angstrom wave length of theradiant energy. To give another example, an aqueous mixture may flowthrough the inner annular space 44 for the formation of hydrogenperoxide therein by the shorter wave length of the radiant energy.

In another mode of operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, fluidflow through the inner annular space 44 is omitted and instead fluidflows through the plastic tubes 30 and 32 with the spiral runs of thetubes in pressure contact with both the outer housing cylinder 12 andthe inner lamp l0 and with the sides of the helical turns of the tube 30in mutual pressure contact with the sides of the helical turns of theplastic tube 32. An important advantage of this arrangement is thatsince the walls of the plastic tubes 30 and 32 are supported, the wallsmay be exceedingly thin even though the internal fluid pressure isrelatively high and, of course, the thinner the walls of the two spiraltubes the less the amount of absorption of the radiant energy by thewalls. The mutually contacting side walls of the two tubes 30 and 32 aresupported by each other and it is to be noted that the fluid pressureson the opposite sides of each pair of contacting walls are balanced sothat the pressure drop across each pair of mutually contacting sidewalls may be practically zero.

Another advantage of this second mode of the embodiment shown in FIG. Iis that with the two spiral plastic tubes 30 and 32 in pressure contactboth with the housing cylinder 12 and with the periphery of the lamp 10,the plastic tubes support the lamp against vibration and shock. Anotheradvantage is that the spiral runs of the two plastic tubes embrace thelamp 10 under pressure to immobilize the lamp in the housing and toprotect the immobilized lamp. Simply reducing the fluid pressure in thetwo helical tubes 30 and 32 causes the tubes to relax and thus free thelamp 10 for removal when desired.

Another advantage is that with the plastic tubes 30 and 32 of flatcross-sectional configuration, the fluids may be forced through the twotubes under high pressure at high velocity to create active turbulencein the flowing fluids. Such turbulence tends to cause all portions ofthe flowing liquid to make contact at one time or another with the innerwalls of the spiral turns where the radiant energy is at maximumintensity.

An important feature of the invention is the concept of providingreflecting surfaces to intercept the radiation after the radiationpasses through the fluid, the radiation being thus reflected backthrough the fluid for increased irradiation efficiency. In this regard,the provision of a housing cylinder 12 made of aluminum is advantageousnot only because of the low cost and high heat conduction of aluminum,but also because an alu minum surface, and especially a polishedaluminum surface, is a highly efficient reflector of radiant energy ofshort wave lengths. Thus, the inner circumferential surface of thehousing cylinder 12 reflects the radiant energy back through the plastictubes 30 and 32.

If desired, the reflecting surfaces may be incorporated in the structureof the flattened plastic tubes 30 and 32. For example, FIG. 9 indicateshow a reflective coating 55 may be deposited on the inner surfaces ofthe outer walls of the helical runs of the tubes 30 and 32. Thus, theradiant energy is reflected back without absorption by the outer wallsof the plastic tubes. As another example, FIG. 10 shows how reflectivecoatings 56 may be deposited on the outer walls of the helical turns ofthe plastic tubes 30 and 32. As a still further example, FIG. 11 shows areflective surface 57 encapsulated in the outer walls of the flexiblefluid conduc tors such as 30 and 32. This can be accomplished by formingthe fluid conductors from laminated films having the reflectorssandwiched therebetween. The reflective surfaces may advantageously bemade of magnesium oxide which reflects the 2537 Angstrom radiation moreeffectively than aluminum.

In the modification of the invention illustrated by FIG. 4, twoflattened plastic tubes 60 and 62 are wound helically in side-by-siderelationship in the longitudinal annular space surrounding the lamp 10,but in this instance the successive helical turns of the two tubes areseparated by helical ribs 64 that extend inwardly from the housingcylinder 12a. The helical ribs 64 have utility in resisting surges offluid pressure and other forces. A further feature of the constructionshown in FIG. 4 is that the housing cylinder 12a is provided withexternal cooling fins 65.

The construction shown in FIG. 5 differs from the construction shown inFIGS. 2 and 4 in that a single helically wound plastic tube 66 insteadof two separate plastic tubes occupies the elongated annular spacearound the lamp 10. In FIG. 5 the housing cylinder 12b is formed withinner helical ribs 68 that have the same purpose as the helical ribs 64in FIG. 4. In FIG. 5, however, the housing cylinder l2b comprises ahelically wound band 70 with the ribs 68 projecting inwardly from thehelical band.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated by FIG. 6 is largely similarto the first embodiment as indicated by the use of similar referencenumerals to indicate similar parts. A flattened plastic tube 30a ishelically wound in the longitudinal annular space around the lamp 10 inthe same manner as the previously mentioned plastic tube 30, but asecond plastic tube is omitted so that a second helical passage 72 iscreated in the longitudinal annular space with the helical turns of thepassage 72 alternating with the helical turns of the flattened plastictube 30a.

The housing cylinder 12c is formed with a pair of inner helical ribs 74which not only confine the helical turns of the plastic tube 300, butalso serve as opposite side walls for the helical passage 72. In theconstruction shown the helical ribs 74 make contact with the peripheryof the lamp and for this purpose a thin layer 75 of a suitable resilientsealing material may be provided on the inner circumferential edges ofthe helical ribs. A suitable silicone may be employed for this purpose.One end of the helical passage 72 communicates with an inlet passage 76in the end block 14a that leads to a conduit fitting 78 and, in likemanner, the second end of the helical passage 72 is in communicationwith a conduit fitting (not shown) in the second end block of thehousing.

An important advantage of the construction shown in FIG. 6 is that thefluid in the helical passage 72 is in direct contact with the outercircumferential surface of the lamp 10, no radiant energy being lost byabsorption in a plastic wall between the flowing fluid and the lamp. Theinner surface of the housing cylinder 120 is a reflecting surface toincrease the effectiveness of the radiant energy.

In the modification of the invention illustrated by FIGS. 7 and 8, theruns or convolutions of a single fluid passage of the device extentlongitudinally of the lamp instead of helically of the lamp, the runsbeing crowded together as shown for full utilization of thecircumferential surface of the lamp. The single fluid passage 80 of thisembodiment is formed in part by longitudinally extending flattenedplastic tubes 82 and in part by U- shaped passages 84 in the two housingend blocks 14b and 15b respectively. As may be seen in FIG. 8 the U-shaped passages 84 interconnect the ends of the contiguous plastic tubes82 to provide a single fluid passage through the device. Preferably, theinner surface of the housing cylinder 12d is polished for radiallyinward reflection of the radiant energy.

In all the embodiments of the invention the fluid to be treated is in aregion of maximum intensity of radiant energy with minimum travel of theradiant energy required to reach all parts of the flowing fluid. Withthe addition of reflecting surfaces the radiant energy is utilized withmaximum effectiveness.

It is to be noted that although the convolutions of the passage means inFIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 6 extend circumferentially of the elongated lamp andthe convolutions in FIG. 8 extend longitudinally of the lamp, in bothinstances the convolutions are side-by-side and the overallconfiguration of the passage means is annular and completely surroundsor encases the lamp for full utilization of the available radiantsurface of the lamp.

An important feature of the embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS.2, 4, 5 and 7 is that the flowing fluid that is to be treated by radiantenergy is completely encased in plastic walls. If the ultraviolet lamp10 is cracked or broken there is no danger of contamination of theflowing fluid.

My description if specific detail of the selected embodiments of theinvention will suggest various changes, substitutions and otherdepartures from my disclosure within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device for radiant treatment of flowing fluid, the combinationof:

an elongated lamp providing a source of radiant energy and having anenvelope wall; and

passage means for flow therethrough of fluids to be treated by theradiant energy;

said passage means comprising a plurality of tubes of flexiblenon-metallic material having a unitary wall structure transparent tosaid radiant energy in sideby-side relationship each being ofsubstantially smaller cross sectional area than the radiant source;

said tubes being positioned to jointly provide an overall configurationof an annulus surrounding and substantially completely encasing theenvelope wall of said radiant source.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said runsencircle in close proximity to the envelope wall of the radiant source.

3. A combination as set forth in claim 2 in which said tubes provide aplurality of independent helical flow paths through said annulus forconveying fluids through the annulus simultaneously.

4. A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said tubes haveflexible pressure-responsive walls,

said tubes being of flattened cross sectional configuration with theirminimum cross sectional dimensions radially of said source,

said tubes normally functioning under relatively high fluid pressure inpressure contact with the radiant source,

said tubes being capable of relaxing in response to lowered fluidpressure therein to release the pressure of the tubes against thesource.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said runsextends in a direction parallel to the axis of the radiant source.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 in which the tubes coact toform a single flow passage having alternately reversed flow portionsextending between opposite end portions of the radiant source.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said tubes areformed of fluorinated ethylene propylene.

8. A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said tubes haveplastic pressure-responsive walls;

and in which the tubes are surrounded by adjacent housing structure inpressure contact therewith whereby the adjacent housing structurereinforces the plastic walls.

9. A combination as set forth in claim 8 in which said tubes areconfined side-by-side in pressure contact with each other forreinforcement against their internal pressures.

10. A combination as set forth in claim 1,

which includes a separate housing enclosing the tubes; in which helicalribs cooperate with the envelope wall of the radiant source and saidhousing to form helical spaces between the source and the housing;

and in which the fluid flows through said helical spaces.

11. A combination as set forth in claim 10 in which the tubes arehelical and have flexible pressureresponsive plastic walls;

and in which said tubes occupy said helical spaces.

12. A combination as set forth in claim I which includes reflector meansto intercept the radiant energy from said source after the radiantenergy passes through said tubes, said reflector means serving toreflect the radiation inwardly through the tubes towards the radiantsource.

13. A combination as set forth in claim 12 in which said relector meansis the inner circumferential surface of a housing surrounding the tubes.

14. A combination as set forth in claim 13 in which said innercircumferential surface of the housing is an aluminum surface.

15. A combination as set forth in claim 12 in which said tubes haveplastic walls capable of transmitting the radiant energy;

and in which said reflector means comprises a coating of reflectingmaterial carried by plastic walls that are on the sides of the tubesthat are away from the elongated radiant source.

16. A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said housing hasexternal cooling fins.

17. A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said passage runscoact with the envelope wall of said source of radiant energy to form aflow passage for the fluid to flow in direct with the envelope wall ofthe source of radiant energy.

18. In a device for irradiating fluids, the combination of:

an elongate tubular lamp providing a source of radiant energy; and

multiple flexible tubes for different fluids to be irradiated,

each tube extending along the lamp of said source in close proximitythereto and being conformed to the outer surface configuration of thelamp tube,

each tube being of flattened cross sectional configuration with itswidth a multiple times its thickness and with its thickness dimensionextending radially of said source,

said multiple tubes extending over at least a major portion of theirradiating surface of said lamp.

[9. In a device for irradiating fluids, the combination of:

an elongated lamp source of radiant energy having a peripheral enclosingwall;

at least one tube of flexible material extending substantially from oneend to the other of said radiant source,

said tube being flattened towards said source in transverse crosssection; and

housing means spaced from the enclosing wall of the radiant source withthe flattened tube occupying at least the major portion of the radialdimension of the space between the enclosing wall and the housing means.

20. A combination as set forth in claim 19, wherein said housing meansconfines the passage means to limit expansion in cross section of thepassage means in response to fluid pressure in the passage means.

21. A combination as set forth in claim 20 in which the fluid is underpressure with the flexible walls of the tube in pressure contact withboth said housing and said source of radiant energy.

22. A combination as set forth in claim 19 in which a plurality of tubesextend from one end to the other of the radiant source to carrydifferent fluids.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO.3,691,25 DATED July 6, i975 INVENTORtS) 1 troyrre K. H'szelrigg;

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

8" insert --irT-;

Column 1 1 litre 1.5, before insert --r:r oxygen line 18, before gasColumn 5, line 20 (claim 3, line 3), before "fluids insert--diifererrt--.

Col umr; lO, ole int 20 should read as follows --20. A combination asset, forth ll; claim 19, wherein sa id tube has flexible walls arid saidhousing; means confines the tube to limit expansion in cross section ofthe tube in response to fluid pressure it) the tube.

Signed and Scaled this fourteenth Day Of 0ct0ber1975 [SEAL] Attest:

RUTH (I. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Alresn'ng Officer Commissioner ofParents and Trademarks

1. In a device for radiant treatment of flowing fluid, the combinationof: an elongated lamp providing a source of radiant energy and having anenvelope wall; and passage means for flow therethrough of fluids to betreated by the radiant energy; said passage means comprising a pluralityof tubes of flexible non-metallic material having a unitary wallstructure transparent to said radiant energy in side-by-siderelationship each being of substantially smaller cross sectional areathan the radiant source; said tubes being positioned to jointly providean overall configuration of an annulus surrounding and substantiallycompletely encasing the envelope wall of said radiant source.
 2. Thecombination as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said runs encirclein close proximity to the envelope wall of the radiant source.
 3. Acombination as set forth in claim 2 in which said tubes provide aplurality of independent helical flow paths through said annulus forconveying fluids through the annulus simultaneously.
 4. A combination asset forth in claim 1 in which said tubes have flexiblepressure-responsive walls, said tubes being of flattened cross sectionalconfiguration with their minimum cross sectional dimensions radially ofsaid source, said tubes normally functioning under relatively high fluidpressure in pressure contact with the radiant source, said tubes beingcapable of relaxing in response to lowered fluid pressure therein torelease the pressure of the tubes against the source.
 5. A combinationas set forth in claim 1 in which each of said runs extends in adirection parallel to the axis of the radiant source.
 6. The combinationas set forth in claim 5 in which the tubes coact to form a single flowpassage having alternately reversed flow portions extending betweenopposite end portions of the radiant source.
 7. The combination as setforth in claim 1 in which said tubes are formed of fluorinated ethylenepropylene.
 8. A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said tubeshave plastic pressure-responsive walls; and in which the tubes aresurrounded by adjacent housing structure in pressure contact therewithwhereby the adjacent housing structure reinforces the plastic walls. 9.A combination as set forth in claim 8 in which said tubes are confinedside-by-side in pressure contact with each other for reinforcementagainst their internal pressures.
 10. A combination as set forth inclaim 1, which includes a separate housing enclosing the tubes; in whichhelical ribs cooperate with the envelope wall of the radiant source Andsaid housing to form helical spaces between the source and the housing;and in which the fluid flows through said helical spaces.
 11. Acombination as set forth in claim 10 in which the tubes are helical andhave flexible pressure-responsive plastic walls; and in which said tubesoccupy said helical spaces.
 12. A combination as set forth in claim 1which includes reflector means to intercept the radiant energy from saidsource after the radiant energy passes through said tubes, saidreflector means serving to reflect the radiation inwardly through thetubes towards the radiant source.
 13. A combination as set forth inclaim 12 in which said relector means is the inner circumferentialsurface of a housing surrounding the tubes.
 14. A combination as setforth in claim 13 in which said inner circumferential surface of thehousing is an aluminum surface.
 15. A combination as set forth in claim12 in which said tubes have plastic walls capable of transmitting theradiant energy; and in which said reflector means comprises a coating ofreflecting material carried by plastic walls that are on the sides ofthe tubes that are away from the elongated radiant source.
 16. Acombination as set forth in claim 1 in which said housing has externalcooling fins.
 17. A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which saidpassage runs coact with the envelope wall of said source of radiantenergy to form a flow passage for the fluid to flow in direct with theenvelope wall of the source of radiant energy.
 18. In a device forirradiating fluids, the combination of: an elongate tubular lampproviding a source of radiant energy; and multiple flexible tubes fordifferent fluids to be irradiated, each tube extending along the lamp ofsaid source in close proximity thereto and being conformed to the outersurface configuration of the lamp tube, each tube being of flattenedcross sectional configuration with its width a multiple times itsthickness and with its thickness dimension extending radially of saidsource, said multiple tubes extending over at least a major portion ofthe irradiating surface of said lamp.
 19. In a device for irradiatingfluids, the combination of: an elongated lamp source of radiant energyhaving a peripheral enclosing wall; at least one tube of flexiblematerial extending substantially from one end to the other of saidradiant source, said tube being flattened towards said source intransverse cross section; and housing means spaced from the enclosingwall of the radiant source with the flattened tube occupying at leastthe major portion of the radial dimension of the space between theenclosing wall and the housing means.
 20. A combination as set forth inclaim 19, wherein said housing means confines the passage means to limitexpansion in cross section of the passage means in response to fluidpressure in the passage means.
 21. A combination as set forth in claim20 in which the fluid is under pressure with the flexible walls of thetube in pressure contact with both said housing and said source ofradiant energy.
 22. A combination as set forth in claim 19 in which aplurality of tubes extend from one end to the other of the radiantsource to carry different fluids.